It seems that, this looks like the future. The sudden growth of Low cost airlines will most likely result in a rapid increase in size for regional and secondary airports througout Europe, where landing fee's are lower and slots are more flexible. This is thanks to Ryanair, Go Fly, and easyjet who are inhabiting these airports like wildfire.

I think, that the WTC attacks might have actually aided this growth, taking buisness away from the major airlines, but Low-cost airlines load-factors remaining stable and increasing. Along with clever advertisments to get passengers on these airlines. Big orders from Ryanair, easyjet and Go Fly are all pending (Go, not confirmed yet? And easyjet still speculation?). I hope the success of these airlines continue! Especially in the vacancies that BA left with their 'all LHR' mentality.

I think soon alot of airports could follow London Stansteds path, becoming medium sized airports that handle millions of passengers a year.

Oh absolutely, business is booming at small regional airports not only in Europe but also in Canada due to low-cost operators. Expensive landing and operating fees, airport improvement taxes, scarce/non- flexible slots, extra security fees just to name few reasons why big airports are to be avoided by LO-CO operators.
In my opinion the LO-CO's appeal to its customers could be summarized as follow.

-very low airfares (5-150 Euros)
-point-to-point regional service

So as long as these LO-CO's will diversify their networks, small regional airports could see a significant increase in traffic and associated business opportunities. In turn, I see a need for these small airports to encourage and to offer as many incentives as possible to these LO-CO's especially in the earlier stages.

In my opinion at these low rates even the poorest Eastern-European market is screaming and begging for service….That's right it's a bargain even for them!

a like the low cost carrers cause they offer everyone a better deal so the low cost carriers rock. from my home city of glasgow ryian air arent only cheaper than ba they also offer direct flights and go nad easy jet are planing the same.

Both extension of current runways and rededicating military airfields for civilian use will become increasingly difficult, legally speaking. So increasing services at existing airports yes, but don´t expect many new airports.